Wednesday, March 26, 2014

This
question was raised by a reader of Brother Magazine regarding
masturbation.Other people were asked to
address this issue, however, for reasons unbeknownst to me, they chose not
to.So when I was asked, I figured to
myself, “why not?”This topic has been
known to be one of the taboo topics in the body of Christ, however, as many of
you know, I have a reputation for being combative and confrontational, so
before you have a heart attack, I ask you to remain calm and just continue to
read as I argue to my stance on whether or not masturbation is a sin.This
subject has evoked great emotion in the church and my commentary could invoke enormous
controversy because there are so many people within Christendom who partake in
this subject physically as it has become a hobby to a great many people.

Simply
put, I am compelled to be truthful by saying that my stance is “Yes” masturbation
is very much a sin. I say this because masturbation,
while physical, is more mental than it is physical. For those who would disagree I simply would
ask that the next time you attempt to participate in this act, think on the
Holiness of God and being in His divine presence. While this may sound funny, you will have to
admit that you won’t get far in the act of masturbation. You have to understand that in order to
participate in this act, not only is it physical but your mind MUST go to a
place where you visualize the act of sex.
Your mind is provoked into going to a realm where lust permeates and
your psyche has you lusting for a particular something.

If
I am wrong, please correct me however, in Matthew, the fifth chapter, Jesus
speaks to the Pharisees who were quite legalistic and carried out the Ten
Commandments to a “tee!” However, Jesus,
during His Sermon on the Mount, was led to discuss and share the “game change”
and how the people had to operate hereafter because up until now they lived
their lives by the commandments and were quick to make sure they did not
literally kill anyone. Conversely, Jesus
shared a new concept or a new paradigm or way of thinking which took things to
another level which dealt not only with their actions but delved into their
thought processes. He dealt with the
issue of murder and not only dealt with the literal meaning of taking a life
but shared with them that if they were angry with their brother or sister, it
was the same thing as being guilty of murder.
Likewise, for the adulterer, the Pharisees were quick to stand in
judgment about their religious living because there were some who hadn’t
crossed the line literally nonetheless Jesus leveled the playing field by
sharing with them that the heart can be corrupted with lust quicker than the
body can.

Do
you understand the basis for my argument in why masturbation is a sin? Again, show me someone who can become aroused
singing a hymn and keeping their mind on whatever is honest, pure, and of good
report and if they can do that and still manipulate their body to have an
orgasm then maybe I can take a different approach as to how to argue the
text. But until then, I must stay true
to the conviction of my heart and aim to make sure my mind stays pure from
lustful thoughts that could lead me down a path of no return. My goal is to do and say those things which
are pleasing to my Heavenly Father and the same should be your goal as well. So
remember, it’s not about legalistically staying out of the bedroom but rather
the thought processes of your mind that resonates in the mind of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.

I
know this may seem harsh but I have to keep it real otherwise I wouldn’t be who
I am. The act of masturbation can only
be completed by the lustful thoughts that cause stimulation that is needed in
order to produce the intended orgasmic reaction! It is the thought of sexual relations coupled
with the manipulation of your body
that leads to the purposed combustion.
Without the mind igniting the passion of thought then masturbation is
null and void. I will close by referring to the book of
James, chapter 1 verses 14 & 15. I
will use the Message Bible just because it brings the entire point home better
than the King James Version does. (The
Message Bible) “The temptation to give in
to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering,
seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and
has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.” So basically, James is saying you need to
check yo’self before you wreck yo’self!

Written by Luther McKinstry for Brotha Magazine for the Oct/Nov 2010 Issue.

Friday, March 21, 2014

I wanna give my best to you
I wanna do what you asked me to do
I wanna go wherever you say
just say the word and I'll obey
I wanna live a life that's real
I wanna serve you lord for real
for you deserve all this and more
so I give you more

Sometimes I can't find the words I want to
say to God in prayer. So I find a song that reveals the sentiments of my
heart. This song simply entitled "More" does just that this morning.

Monday, March 17, 2014

I learned one of the most difficult lessons of LIFE ...... I learned (still) how to be BE GRATEFUL !

You know the lyrics: God has not promised me sunshine. That's not the way it's going to be. But a little a rain ..... A little rain?

At that point of my and subsequent othesr I was, have, and will experience DOWN POURS. Yet every down pour had made me stronger and has equipped me for the next. I can take more now than I did at 20; better yet 35; not as quick to throw in the towel like I have been. Just imagine if I had, there would be no Brotha, no music, no anything just a family mourning my death.

So here is the question of the week. What do you want to learn during the Surrender Fast?

Again, comment or email me at info@brothaonline.com. I will respond. God Bless You.

Friday, March 14, 2014

I remember the day I tried to kill myself in at 19 or 20 (now 40). I sat in the upstairs bathroom of my childhood home. I was lost, didn't like myself, no self-esteem, thought I was ugly and that no one would love me. Now I had loving parents and seven brothers/sisters yet I still felt so alone. So I took a bottle of my dads pills and said good-bye to myself. Took the pills, sat there and threw every last pill up. GOD IS AMAZING ! Because I'm Still Here ! I was born for this. Every mistake, failure, broken heart, almost dying twice ~ YES I WAS BORN FOR THIS. This is the life God gave me and even through my jack ups, hang ups, low points, high points I was was born for this. Each one of those experiences made me who I am a this moment. I am better singer, editor, publisher, BELIEVER because of them. Don't knock down these experiences; just ask yourself one question ~ What did I learn? Part II on Monday ......

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

You know my other sideI can no longer hideLet You down so many timesSin freshly crucifies

Thought that I had a planI had it all figured outBut the more that You triedTo be by my sideThe more I push You out

Lord make me overLord make me overLord make me over

As a publisher I am always looking at words. As a singer I am always looking for words to help express what I'm feeling and want to minister at the same time (hence me posting the lyrics above.) During this cycle of the surrender fast I am asking God to make me over. I want to mature or grow in Christ. SO I began to think this morning in prayer ~ Growth signifies change and during this cycle I want to grow or mature meaning I want and have to change. When you want to stay the same spiritually you don't read, study (there's a difference) fast, pray, mediate etc. all of these bring change or growth. When you don't want "Grow"or Mature you stop doing those things the bring about growth , change, or maturity. So, What do you want to Change? and Where do you want to see Growth? Please leave comments or send me an email to info@brothaonline.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Good Afternoon, I am so excited about this cycle of the Surrender Fast. I wanted to post something yesterday but everything was hectic and not going the way I planned for them to go. Last night as I looked back over the day, I noticed that I didn't become frustrated about how things weren't going "My Way". I also notice how full of joy and peace as the day began to unfold and became clear that Monday, March 10th wasn't going to go "My Way" ~ This is MAJOR for me! I get easily annoyed and frustrated when things don't go "My Way" to the point where it takes me hours to get back to a place of calm. Lately, I have been staying in that place of calm and began just letting the Lord handle it. Trust me it's a better place to be and realizing at 40 years old I can't fix it no matter how hard I try and that letting go (of relationships, bitterness, etc) it better for me mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Lastly, "My Way" is not always "God's Way" even if you have planned it to the last detail. Instead ask yourself ~ What does God say?

Brotha Online Magazine

Brotha Magazine specifically targets the African American male committed to a Christian lifestyle. Brotha magazine is intended as an empowerment tool to comprehensively address, without restrictions, complex issues providing resources to resolve any of life challenges.